On Multi-protocol Label Switching (mpls) Network Simulation Analysis

MPLS (Multi-Protocol Label Switching) as a new switching technique for the Next Generation Network is currently a popular research topic. In this paper, we use OPNET Modeler, a network simulation tool, setting up three different networks to study MPLS features: TE (Traffic Engineering), DiffServ QoS and resilience. Based on simulation results, it is clear that MPLS network is more efficient then traditional IP network in traffic management and QoS implementation. MPLS can optimize network's performance.This paper first makes a brief review of the development of Network Simulation methods. Section 2 reviews MPLS working mechanism, especially its TE and DiffServ QoS features. Section 3 introduces OPNET Modeler, the simulation tool, its main features and presents a normal simulation methodology. In section 4, we present the details of our test networks, the simulation results, and end up with our conclusions.